Osteochondrosis is a dystrophic change in the spine, in which the structure of the intervertebral disc changes, with subsequent deformation, stratification and violation of boundaries and elevation.
Previously, physicians believed that osteochondrosis exclusively affected areas of the spine, now this opinion has changed. Osteochondrosis can confidently be called a systemic disease, because the spine is not only a support for the motor system, but also affects all organs of the human body.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is a pathological change characterized by degenerative-dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs of the thoracic spine.
Signs and Causes
The main cause of breast osteochondrosis is a violation of metabolic processes in the body, which is associated with a deterioration of blood supply.
So, the main signs of the development of osteochondrosis:
- Physical hard work.
- Stress and nerve stress.
- Curvature of the spine.
- Obesity.
- Intensive physical training, improper exercise performance.
- Bad ecology.
- Smoking.
- Back injury.
- Improper nutrition.
- The lifestyle of a person who is inactive (physically inactive).
- Effects of constant vibration on the spine (prolonged driving).
- Hypothermia.
- Age -related changes and so on.
Symptoms
It should be emphasized that the cause of the formation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is scoliosis, a prerequisite of which is formed in school. The chest is an inactive area, and therefore, the symptoms have marked differences from other types of osteochondrosis. In most cases, the main difference between osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is the absence of acute pain syndrome, but there is a dull or aching pain.
The main symptoms are as follows:
- Chest ache. Worse while breathing or moving. In most cases, the pain of osteochondrosis in the thoracic region has the nature of shingles;
- Symptoms of numbness. There was a feeling that shiver crept in his chest;
- Stomach, liver and heart aches. Osteochondrosis of the breast masquerades as another disease, which shows symptoms of gastritis, heart attack, angina pectoris, peptic ulcer and so on;
- Sexual dysfunction;
- Pain in the shoulder blade area (there is lumbago at the level of the intercostal nerve, this condition is called intercostal neuralgia);
- Decreased ability to maneuver the thoracic spine (symptoms are characteristic of Forestier, Bekhterev, Scheerman-Mao disease and scoliotic deformity, using radiography to determine the exact cause).
In addition, thoracic osteochondrosis has two vertebral syndromes - dorsalgia and dorsago.
Dorsago is characterized by sharp chest pain. It is usually found in those who are in an inclined position for a long time (for example, a welder), then straighten sharply. Dorsago pain syndrome is quite strong, even during breathing. Tense muscle tone, which causes limitation of movement in certain parts of the spine.
Dorsalgia manifests itself gradually and invisibly, lasting up to three weeks. There was no significant pain syndrome in the affected spinal area and discomfort. The pain increases with deep breathing, bending forward or sideways. Stiff muscle.
Movement is limited to upper dorsalgia (cervicothoracic region) or lower dorsalgia (lumbar-thoracic region). The pain intensifies at night, during the waking period, the pain syndrome is interrupted by short walks. With deep breathing or prolonged body positioning in one position, the pain increases.
Diagnostics
The hallmark of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is its unusual ability to be confused with the symptoms of other diseases. Not physicians who refer to this malaise as a "disease - chameleon".
Osteochondrosis masquerades as a pain syndrome of cardiovascular disease, angina pectoris, heart attack, appendicitis and cholecystitis, gastrointestinal diseases, namely gastritis, peptic ulcer, renal or hepatic colic. Experienced specialists conduct comprehensive diagnostics to find out the difference between breast osteochondrosis and similar diseases. Accordingly, it is recommended to undergo not only X-ray examination, but also MRI, gastroduodenoscopy, ultrasound, and so on. In the future, treatment methods take into account the corresponding disease.
The diagnosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is made on the basis of X-rays, in which an increase in the vertebral body, or a decrease in height on the intervertebral disc, can be clearly seen.
Methods of treatment
Treatment in the thoracic spine for spinal osteochondrosis depends primarily on the stage of the pathological process and is limited to conservative treatment. Surgeon surgical actions are rarely used, usually with complications, namely spinal hernias.
During periods of exacerbation, treatment is directed to relieve pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, as well as analgesics. To increase the movement of the thoracic spine and relax muscle tone, muscle relaxation is prescribed. To increase blood flow in the spine - vasodilators. Medication is combined with massage and physical therapy.
In the relapse phase, treatment is aimed at stretching the muscular system of the thoracic region in the spine. The most effective is the kinesitherapy method.
During the remission period, treatment aims to improve the maneuverability of the spinal intervertebral discs, strengthen the spinal muscles, and restore spinal posture.
In addition, there are the following methods:
- Laser therapy;
- Acupuncture treatment;
- Pharmacopuncture treatment;
- Magnetopuncture Treatment;
- Vacuum therapy treatment.
Treatment with folk methods
- Raw potatoes dominate as an excellent pain reliever. For the treatment of recurrent osteochondrosis of the thoracic region, compresses are prepared, rubbed on the scars (1: 1), mixed with honey. The resulting mass is applied to the affected area, where it lies for about two hours.
- Symptoms of spinal osteochondrosis affected in the acute stage, effectively relieving a mixture of internal and external use. Prepared with honey in half a glass, 50 gr. vodka, two tablespoons of salt and a glass of radish. The resulting mass is applied by rubbing the affected area twice a day or inwards before meals twice a day.
- Osteochondrosis is treated with tea. The infusion is prepared from the fruits and leaves of crushed strawberries, taken one tablespoon at a time. The mixture is poured for ten minutes.
- Symptoms of rheumatism, gout and osteochondrosis of the thoracic region are well treated with an ointment consisting of lard (one tablespoon) and hop powder (one tablespoon).
Complications
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine has the following complications:
- Intervertebral hernia of the thoracic spine;
- Disc protrusion;
- Radiculopathy (sciatica);
- Sciatica;
- Hernia Schmorl;
- Lumbago;
- Spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis;
- VSD;
- Osteophytosis, spondylosis;
- Stenosis in the spinal canal.